Indexing device for machine tools



March 10, 1953 G, H, BEZON, JR 2,630,722

INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed June '7, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet l f /07 5.534 /7 F76. /Q faz', Cgi@ A /rw March 10, 1953 G. H. BENzoN, JR 2,530,722

INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed June 7, 19219 7 sheets-sheet 2 March 10, .1953 G. H. BENzoN, JR 2,630,722

' INDEXINQ` DEVICE FOR MACHINE TooLs Filed June 7, 1949 s '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 10, 1953 G. H. BENZON, JR 2,630,722

INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed June '7, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 10, 1953 `G. H. BENzoN, JR

INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS '7 Sheets-SheetI 5 Filed June '7, 1949 March l0, 1953 G. H. BEzoN, .1R 2,630,722 l INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed June 7, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 1l vwl/all March l0, 1953 G. H. BENZON, JR 2,630,722

INDEXING DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed June 7, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 JMU-2257".'

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES E N T OFFICE INllEXING `DEVISE FORMACHINE TOOLS' George` H. Benson, Jr., Lansdale; Pa.

Application .lune 7; 1949', Sei-iai No; 97,683

34 Claims.

TheF primary; object of this invention is to provi-de. a novel and highly'eiiicient indexing device-for machine tools `by means-of which the machine may be adjusted rapidly and precisely toa setting or succession ci settingsineach of which the work and the .tool element which is to voperate upon therworli. are relatively positio-ned :for a lpredetermined separate operation.`

Anotherobject is to iprovide an indexing device o1"` the stated type for reproducing a cycle of operations by means of preformed graphic charts or records so that either small or large lots of simlarparts may 'be accurately machined Withoutreference to dimensions or layouts.

Another object of the invention is to 'provide an` indexingl device ofthe stated character in thefo-rm of a compactand mechanically simple unit which may he readily incorporated in the machine tool without essential modification of the normal `mechanism of the machine.

More specifically. an object of the invention is to provide a unitary ,device of the .character described adapted for connection to the traverse rnechanisrnthrough which the work and the tool element are brought into position for the desired machining operation or operations.

Still anotherl object is to provide lan indexing device of the general character set forth which utilizes pre-formed records as a medium for indicating the setting yor settings of the machine whichcorrespond to the respective operations to be performed .upon the work.

A further object is to provide a device of the character set forth` Ialcove which includes a mobile carrier foi-.the said records together `with means operatively associated. with the carrier anda-dante@ for actuation by a carrier-mounted record to indicate the setting or settings of the machine for the required operationor series oi? oper tions to he performed uponthe work.`

A stillfurther objectis to provide a device of tie stated character wherein means is provided. `for operatively connecting `the mobile carrierY to the `traverse mechanism of the machine for synchronized operation with the latter.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a record controlled indexing device of the charac er. described including novel means for produ ng the said record. or records for a desired operation or sequence of operations on any given workmicce at locations remote to the machine tool uoonivliich the workis to Vloe performed in whichthe said indexing device is incorporated.

The invention resides urtherin certain novel mechanica-landstructural details of the inderng and record forming units hereinafter `dezol scribed and illustrate-:l in 4theattacheddrawings, wherein:

Fig 1 is anend elevational view of a'borng.

inillY equipped with indexing -`devices made4 in accordance with the invention;

Fig.

mill;

Fig. 3 is a top plan viewlof one of the indexing units;

Fig. 4. is a front elevational View of 'the unitv Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view-on theline Fig. 8 is an enlarged'sectional View on the line' ii-, Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 9 9, Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is an enlargedsectionalView corresponding to theview of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line I l-I I, Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line !2-|2, Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional perspective View showing one of the indexing records;

Fig. 11i is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing a fragment of a record andthe immediately associated elements of the indexing device;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary enlargement of a portion of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line IST-I6; Fig. 14;

Figs. 17 to 2l inclusive are diagrammatic views` of., the electrical' signal'` system forming. a -part of the indexing deviceY and illustrate the ele ments oi the system and device in different operative positions corresponding to diierent phases of operation;

Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the recordemarking unit of the device;

23 is a fragmentary sectionalvievv shot.7-` ing a `detail of therecord`marlring device; and

Fig. 2a is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating. a modification Within the scope of theinv-ention.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings,` theihoring rnill therein illustrated comprises vthe usual hase'iraine l, table 2,- and tool spindle 3," said spindle being vertically adjustable throughA the inediuni of suitable mechanism includingfan actuating handle-fi; A carriage 5' is mounted 2 is a side elevational view of the boring upon the table 2 for movement in suitable guides longitudinally of the latter, and mounted on the carriage is a work support a which may be adjusted transversely of the table 2 in suitable guides on the carriage 5. Traverse movements of the carriage 5 longitudinally of the table 2 are effected by a traverse or lead screw and the work support 6 is adjusted transversely on the carriage 5 through the medium of a traverse or lead screw Il. By adjustments of the carriage and work support, a work piece mounted on the support may be brought to the positions with respect to the axis of the spindle 3 in which the machining operation or operations may be performed by feeding the tool to the Work.

Mounted at the front of the table 2 in operative association` with the lead screw I is an indexing unit 9 which, as hereinafter set forth, determines the movements of the said screw required to bring the work into a predetermined position longitudinally of the table 2, relative to spindle 5. A similar unit I I is mounted on the carriage 5 in association with the lead screw 8 and determines the movements of the screw to bring the work into a predetermined position transversely of the table with respect to the tool spindle. Since the units 9 and II are structurally and functionally identical, one only will be described in detail.

The mechanism of the indexing unit is well illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive. comprises a casing I2 within which is journaled a worm I3, see Fig. 7, this worm being connected by suitable means to the end of the lead screw 'I. As shown the worm is journaled in anti-friction bearings Il-I4. The worm shaft is extended, as indicated at I5, and this extension carries a flange I6 which in assembly forms an abutment for one end of a cylindrical record I'I supported as described below upon the shaft extension I5.

In the present instance the record is supported upon a sleeve I3 the bore of which is accurately fitted to the shaft extension I5. This sleeve I8 has a radial flange I5 upon the periphery of which the one end of the record I'I is seated, as indicated at 2| in Fig. 7. The opposite end of the cylindrical record seats upon the periphery of a radial flange 22 on a second sleeve 23 which latter sleeve embraces and closely fits the sleeve IB. The sleeve 23 is held in place upon the sleeve I8 by means of a nut 24 having a knurled periphery,

as shown in Fig. 7, and threaded on the outer end of the sleeve I8. It will be noted that the sleeves I8 and 23 with their respective radial record-supporting flanges i9 and 22, together with the nut 24, constitute a sub-assembly unit which may be applied to the projecting end of the shaft i5 and removed therefrom as required. In this sub-assembly the peripheral surface 2I of the iiange I9 and the peripheral surface 25 of the flange 22 are beveled inwardly, the end portions of the cylindrical record Il' being correspondingly beveled so that in assembly the record is held securely in place upon the flanges and in effect is clamped between the beveled surfaces 2l and 25. It will be noted also that the inner edge of the record I'I projects somewhat beyond the fllnge I9 for abutment with the face of the flange The aforesaid sub-assembly is held in place upon the shaft I5 by means of a wing Vnut 2e which is threaded on the terminal end of the shaft as well shown in Fig. '7. This nut bears against the end of the sleeve I 8 and clamps the assembly between itself and the flange I6. In the present instance the record is located in. a predetermined The unit Z position angularly with respect to the shaft I5 by means of a key 21 which projects from the flange I6 into a recess 30 (see Fig. 13) in the record. This device, however, is not essential to maintenance of the record in fixed position angularly with respect to the shaft I5, since this may be effectively accomplished by clamping action of the wing nut 26 and the frictional contact between the inner end of the cylindrical record and the face of the flange I6.

By reference more particularly to Figs. 3, and 8, it will be noted that the shaft I carries at its rear end outside of the casing I2 a gear pinion SI. rIhis pinion meshes with a gear 32 mounted on the rear end of a shaft 33 which extends forwardly at the side of the casing I?. parallel to the shaft 'I and is supported in suitable journals t and 35 on the casing. The forward end of this shaft which projects at the front of the casing i2 is rectangular in form and is adapted to enter the correspondingly shaped socket in a crank 3l, as best shown in Fig. 3. The crank provides for manual rotation of the shaft 33 and, through the gear 32 and pinion 3i, of the lead screw I. With reference more particularly to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the worm I3 meshes with a Worm wheel 38 on a transverse shaft 39 journaled in anti-friction bearings 4I, 4I in the casing I2. At its other end the shaft 39 carries a worm 42 which engages a Worm Wheel 43 on a shaft alli, this latter shaft being journaled in anti-friction bearings 45, 45 n the casing I2. Shaft 44 extends forwardly in parallel relation to the shaft I5 and carries a flange 45 which corresponds to the flange I6 of the shaft I5. The forwardly projecting end of the shaft 44 is adapted to receive a record carrying sub-assembly similar to the assembly I8-23-24 described above, the record carried by this sub-assembly being shown at 4i in Fig. 8. Of this sub-assembly the nut which corresponds to the nut 24 is indicated in Fig. 8 by the numeral 24', and the wing nut which holds the sub-assembly in place upon the shaft 44 and which corresponds to the wing nut 26 is indicated by the reference numeral 26.

It will be noted from Fig. 41 that the front of the casing I2 is open to permit insertion of the record-carrying sub-assemblies described above onto the ends of the shafts I5 and 44. In this figure the record-supporting flange which corresponds to the fiange 22 of the first described record-carrying sub-assembly is indicated by the reference numeral 22.

From the` foregoing description it will be apparent that whereas the cylindrical record II will rotate with the lead screw 'I at the same rate of speed, the record 41 will rotate at a greatly reduced rate of speed. The ratio of speeds in the present instance is :1, i. e., for each one hundred rotations of the record I'I the record fil will rotate once. If under these circumstances each one hundred rotations of the lead screw I will traverse the carriage 5 over a distance of say 2G, then it would be apparent that for each inch of traverse movement the record 4'! will make 1%0 of a revolution.

Mounted in the upper part of the casing I2 is a bar 5I which is formed at the top with a knife edge 52. The bar 5I has a. front end portion 5.3 of reduced diameter which projects through the front wall of the casing and is threaded for reception of a retaining nut 54. Keyed to the projecting end of the shaft is a sleeve 55 by means of which, when the nut 54 is loosened, the bar 5I may be adjusted about its axis for minute transandthe baril will be` clamped solidly in the casing.

Supported; on the 'knife edge 52. as.` a` fulcrum is aflever assemblyindicated rgenerally bythe referencenumeral efandbest shown in Fig. 1G. rlhis lever assembly comprises a central member 5l which seats upon the lrnife edge 52 as a pivot and which has a recess ilfor reception of said edge. To this block-li`ke member-ii? is secured, by means of/screws 59, a transverse bar Si which extends to'each side of the iulcruin bar 5i and-over the respective record supporting devices described above. Secured in a depending position to each end of the bar 5l `isan Lshaped element, E52 and irespectively, the extremities (ill of which are formed as shocsandadapted to ride on the surfaces ofthe records, Il or M" as the case may be, uncle-1 conditions hereinafter described. The assembly consisting or the member 'l and bar tl and the fulcrurn bar 5i are arranged with respect to the records so that one only of the members 62 and 53 may come into contact with the associated record at one time. 10 wherein theaforesaid lever assembly is tilted to the `left so thattlieshoe @d of the member 62 contacts the surface of -the underlying record el whereas the shoe Stof the member S3 at the opposite end of the assembly is elevated above the surface of the record il; When the lever assembly is` in a horizontal or neutral position the members 52 and 5? `will be clear of the respective associated records il and lll.

The bar il! is engaged at oneend by a lever 65V which, asbest shown in Fig. s, is pivotally sunported in the casing upon points te and Sl, the latter point being threaded into the front wall of the casing for adjustment purposes and being normally locked in adjusted position by a nut 55. The inner end ofthe lever 55 which overlies the end of the baiA @i is pressed downwardly upon the b-arby a coil springll, see Fig. 10, which is confined between a spring retaining button lli, which seats'in a recess l in the upper surface of the lever lili, and the lower end of a member l2 threaded into an arm i3 which is anchored in and projects from a wallof the casing. The member 'i2 has a collar "lil which forms a seat for the upper end ofthe springi; al nut l5 serves to lock the screw '12in place in the supporting arm i3. Afterl release 'o the nut the screw "i2 may be adjusted in thearm lfto regulate the pressure of the spring upon the lever A- corresponding `lever ld engages the opposite end of the bar Eil, this lever, as best illustrated in Fig. 8, being pivotally supported in the casing),l by the points ll" and l5, the latter point being threaded into thefront wall of the casing and being normally locked in place by nut le. The lever 'it is presseddownwardly upon the -bar 6I bly'aspring il! which is confined between a button* 82 seated in a recess 83 `in the upper surface of the lever l and a collar Se `on a screw Sliwhichis threaded into the end of anvarrnltlfandwhich is'norrnally locked in `position in the arm by lock nut 8b; Inv this'instance the arm i313 issecured' to the innerend offashaft` 8? which is journaled inithefront ywall of the casingV i2, as best shown in Fig. 8, the outervendiofithe shaft @l having attached thereto` an arm ithe function of which will be .herein-afterf: described.

Normally the spring 59 will exert a greater pressure` on thebar 'lthan the `spring ,8l so that theV member. 62 will seat uponthe surface of the This is shown in Fig.

record 4l and the niember,` 53 at the, otherend'i ofthe bar el will beelevated asshown in Fig. 10. Underthese circumstances the arm 8B willoccupy theposition in which it is shown in full lines in Figs. 4 and "I, wherein it rests upon a cam Eil lever assembly will assume a position wherein both of the shoes @d of the members t2 and 63.

will be clear of the respective records il and il. When the lever 8B is elevated to the position B8 in e the pressure of the spring 8l will be increased to the point where it exceeds the pres sure of the spring` ed whereupon the right-hand end of `the lever assembly (as viewed in Fig. l0) i will be depressed to an extent bringing the shoe Gil of the member 63 into contact with the surface of record El.

Secured to the bar 6I by means of screws 93, 93 at the opposite sides respectively of the block 5l is` a pair of members S and 95. Each of these `members has at the opposite sides thereof depending ears 95, 95 and 91, 91 respectively,

which extend downwardly at opposite sides of thebar, and which carry screws 98, 58 and 99, 9d, the screws of the respective pairs being aligned axially and having tapered inner ends which enter recesses` in the oppositesides of levers mi H32 and thereby pivotally connect the leversV tothe Si, said levers extending outwardly under the opposite ends of the bar as shown in Figs. l0 and 1l. The outer end of the lever lili carries a set screw H33, the lower end of which will normally seat upon the upper surface of the member t2 as indicated at itil. A corresponding screw 635 is carried at the outer end of lever arm .m2 and the lower end of the screw 165 will normally seat upon the upper surface of the :nen ber 53 as indicated at itil. Secured in the arm lili is a pin le? the lower end of which is shaped as a. knife edge for line contact with the surface of the record dl. The knife edged form of, the lower end of the pin lill is best shown at Idil in 16. |The pin lill' extends vertically and through the army iii! and has threaded on the upper end. thereof an element itl. The upper end il i of the` eleinentfiilt is adeptedfor engagei ment with the actuating. button i'of amicro switch H3, this switch being supported on a bracket lfl secured to the top of the bar iii. A pin .i i5 siinilar` to the pin lill is mounted4 inthe arm iilfor ntrwith the surface or" the record il, the uppe eno. of this pin `being threaded as sli-.own at H6 for reception of internally threaded element l il" nich corresponds: to the element ille of the p... i9?. The element il?, .like the elerrent locked in adjusted position on the th sad ritop of the pin i l5 by means oa setscrew lli?. The element lil isfornied at the topV as indicaterlat I ifor engagement with. the actuating buttonl'li of amicroswitch i532, this switch beingniounted in a bracket E23 corresponding to the bracket lill and similarly secured by screws to the tcp of the bar Si.

The screw itllisadjustedso that when the member 52 the siiriaceof the record `Il? and the lowerterniinal lrnife edge` of the-pin it? also bearsxupon the surfaceof the'record el; the

lower end of the screw |54 will be slightly elevated above the opposed surface of the member 32. Under these conditions the lever 45| will be supported by the pin |31 which bears upon the surface of the record and the element |55 at the upper end of the pin will under these conditions be adjusted so that the tip of that element will be in engagement with and will support the button ||2 so as to maintain the microswitch H3 in open condition. Under these conditions closing of the microswitch i3 will result if lower knife edge terminal end of the pin E51 enters a recess in the surface of the record. it will be apparent that irregularities in the contour of the record will not affect the microswitch by reason of the fact that such irregularities acting through the member 52 and its shoe 64 will cause movements of the bar 6| and therefore of the body of the microswitch H3 corresponding to the movements of the lever lill resulting from the same irregularities.

The shaft 92, see Fig. 6, and its screw E25, as previously stated, directly overlies and parallels the fulcrum bar 5|. Connected to the screw |25 is a follower nut |25 having in its under side a recess S21 which receives the bar iii. The opposite walls of the recess |21 closely engage the opposite sides of the bar 6| so that any movement of the nut |26 resulting from rotation of the screw |25 will necessarily be transmitted to the bar 5| and through the bar to the lever assembly 55 so that this entire assembly will be moved along the fulcrurn bar 5|. Such rotation of the screw |25 may be effected manually through .manipulation of a crank |23 on the forward end of the shaft 92. By thus moving the lever assembly 55 the pins |01 and ||5 may be brought into position for engagement with different axially spaced portions of the records 41 and Si. As shown in Fig. 13 the records are formed with a series of circumferential grooves |25 in the outer cylindrical surface thereof which divide the cylindrical surface into a series of circumferential lands |3I, and it is apparent that the aforedescribed adjustment of the lever assembly 55 provides for bringing the pins |51 and H5 into position for engagement with these individual lands.

It will be noted that the initial movement of the crank |22 in rotating the screw |25 for the purpose of traversing the lever assembly as described above, will elevate the arm 58 through action of the cam 89 and will thereby rock the lever assembly 55 on its fulcrum 52 and against the pressure of the spring 69, as previously described, to a position wherein both of the shoes 54 and of the pins |51 and ||5 are elevated from the surfaces of the records, thus leaving the said assembly 55 free for the traverse movement and preventing undesired marking of the faces of the records during such traverse.

.et the rear end of the screw |25 the shaft 32 carries a gear pinion |32. This pinion meshes with a gear |33 on a jack shaft |34 journale-d in the casing i2 above the shaft 92, the forward of the shaft |34 carrying a bevel pinion |25 which meshes with a bevel gear |35 on the lower end of a vertical shaft |31 which is journaled in the cover plate |38 of the casing 52.

The shaft |31 carries at its upper end a dial |33, see Figs. 3 and 6, having at the periphery thereof a circumferential series of index marks |44 which, as the dial is rotated, register with a fixed index point |42 on a ring |43 secured to the cover plate |38. The index marks |41 correspond in number to the lands |3| of the records 41 and l1, and since the movement of the dial is necessarily synchronized with the movement of the follower nut |25 the dial affords an indication of the position of the lever assembly 56 and of the pins |61 and ||5 with respect to the records and the particular lands of the records with which the said pins may at the moment register.

in conjunction with the devices described above, the invention contemplates a record marking unit of the character shown in Fig. 22. This unit is essentially the same mechanically and functionally as the units 9 and il described above, with the exceptions that the switches ||3 and |22 are absent and the pins |01 and ||5 are replaced by scribing elements of the character shown at |45 in Fig. 23. The cam 39 is also deleted so that the lever |45, which corresponds to the lever 88 of the unit 9, rests normally on a cylindrical surface ifl'i which supports the lever in a position corresponding to that in which the ever 82 is shown in full lines in Fig. fi. In this position the left hand scribing element |45 will be in operative engagement with the surface of underlying record so that traverse movement of the element |45 resulting from manipulation of the crank |48 (corresponding to crank |23 of unit 3) will cause the scribe to make a superficial incision or scratch |49, see Figs. l5, 16 and extending in axial direction across the particular land |3| of the record with which the scribing element may be in contact. The depth of the scratch may be effectively regulated by adjustment of the screws (not shown) which correspond to the screws |03 and |35 of the unit described above.

in the marking unit shown in Fig. 22, the shaft 15|, which in the unit 9 corresponds to the worm shaft connected to the lead screw 1, carries a graduated cylindrical dial |52; and a corresponding dial |53 is carried at the rear end of the shaft |54, which corresponds to the shaft 44 of the unit 9 and which in this case is extended through the rear wall of the casing. The graduations of the dials register with fixed index markings onrelements |55 and |52a respectively secured to the casing. The shaft |5| may be rotated through a pinion |50 on the shaft, a manually rotatable shaft |56, and a gear |51 on the latter shaft which meshes with the pinion |53. The shafts |5| and |54 are geared together in the same manner as the shafts 1 and 44 of the unit 3 and rotate at the same relative speeds.

In the operation of the devices described above, let it be assumed that a particular work piece requiring a plurality of drilled apertures be mounted on the work support 6 in predetermined position, say with one side edge thereof parallel to the direction of traverse of the support and with a given point on the work piece aligned with the axis of the spindle 3. Let it be assumed also that, starting from this point as a datum, the work piece must be traversed both longitudinally and transversely of the table or bed 2 in order to bring the center on which a first of the required apertures is to be drilled into alignment with Athe spindle axis, the extent of both of these traverse movements or ordinates being measureable on the layout drawings of the work.

Two of Ithe record blanks described above are now placed in the marking unit and the crank |43 adjusted to bring the scribing tools to a position overlying the innermost of the lands 63| of the blanks. During this movement the lever |45 may beelevated so as to bring the lever assembly to a neutral position wherein both scribing tools are elevated above the `surfaces of the record blanks. This neutral position of the lever its will correspond to the position 3d of the lever tf1 of the operating unit s described above, see Fig. .4.. With the dials im and H53 at the zero settings and the lever itt still maintained in the neutral position, the shaft |56 is now turned until the length oi one of the said ordinates is indicated within one division of the scale At this point the lever |636 is released and will then drop to its seat upon the cylindrical support i-i'i which will have the eiiect of bringing the proximate sci-ib ing tool i. e., the tool which overlies the iiifi into engagement with the inner land iti or" the record blank supported on the latter shaft. The crank litt is now turned to an extent traversing the scribing tool `acrossthe full width or the land of the record blank which it contacts with the result that a shallow incision or scratch is made upon the record.

With the lever |45 again elevated to neutral position the shaft E56 is again turned in the same direction until the full length of the ordinate is indicated on the dial |52 at which point the lever `Hifi is elevated to a position C01- responding to the position te" of the lever 38 in the aforedescribed operating unit, which has the effect of bringing the s-cribing tool which `overlies the shaft I5|` into engagement with the rear-most land 13| of the record blank associated with that shaft. The crank itil is now turned to an extent traversing the scribing tool across the Vfull width of the `land which it contacts to thereby make a superficial incision or scratch upon that land.

With reference to the dials |52 and It, it is `to be noted that the shafts I5! and i543 which carry these dials are `connected so as to rotate together at relative speeds corresponding to the relative speeds of the shafts 'i and of the operating unit Si previously described. It was stated in regard to that unit that the ratio of movement between the shafts i and it was 166:1 and that the various transmission elements were associated with the lead screw l, that one -full rotation of the shaft `le corresponded to a traverse movement ofthe carriage d `,of 20". Accordingly, a complete rotation of the shaft its of the marking unit would correspond also to a carriage movement of 20'?, and since the dial |53 in the present instance is divided circumferentially into twenty main divisions, each or which is subdivided into ten subdivisions, it is evident that each main division of the dial |53 will correspond to a 1" movement or" the carriage and each of the subdivisions to a carriage movement of 115 of an inch.

`The dial |52, as previously stated, turns one hundred times to each full rotation of the dial |53, so that each full rotation of" the Adial |522 corresponds to a movement of the carriage of ,1/5 of an inch. In the present instance the dial i52 is divided circumferentialiy into twenty parts, each of which therefore represents a movement of the carriage of V100 of an inch; and each of the main divisions of the dial is sub divided into ten parts `so that each of the subdivisions represents a carriage movement of lm() of an inch. For convenience, the dial 52 is divided into two sections each embracing 180 of circumference with the members of the main divisions extending from D to It. Thus, each .halfv revolution of` the dial |52,` corresponds to `10 T15 of an inch of carriage travel, as also does each subdivision of the dial |53, and the primary divisions in each half of the dial i52, numbered i to it, will thus Serve in effect to divide into tenths each of the dial |53 subdivisions.

The mark on the record blank associated with the shaft its formed, as described above, will be removed from the zero starting position to an extent corresponding to the linear length of the one ordinate of the movement of the work piece, referred to above, minus T16 of an inch or less. The subsequent additional movement as measured on the dial` |52 will complete the full ordinate.

After the marking of the innermost land of the two record blanks as described above, the crank it.; may be traversed, the lever |455 being held in neutral position, to bring the scribing tools into `position for engagement with the next adjoining land I3! or"` the record blanks and, after returning the blanks to the original Zero setting or using the position of the rst operation as a datum, the shaft tt is again operated to move the dials |52 and its to an extent corresponding to the traverse movements of the W0l^k eluired to bring the center' point for the second operation into alignment with the axis of the tool spindle. The second land of the record blanks are marked in accordance with the same procedure described above rst to produce a mark on the record blank associated with the shaft i511 corresponding to the ordinate within e of an inch and `a subsequent marking on the record blank associated with theshaft to complete the ordinate within 1/100@ of an inch. The ordinates for all oi the separate drilling operations may, in this manner, be marked on successive lands of the record blanks.

The marked records are then removed and yare rep-laced by a second set of record blanks which are marked in like manner in accordance with the lengths of otherordinates :from the vdatum position corresponding to the transverse traverse movements required to bring the work into the positions for the several operations.

The two sets of records thus produced may new be placed in the operating units 9 and previously described,l the work piece being brought by traverse of the carriage and work support t to a position wherein the datum point on the work piece from which the records'were produced is in alignment with the axis of the spindle VJ ith the records in the same positions which they initially occupied in the marking unit when the dials were at zero setting and with the lever assembly 515 located so that the pins itl and are in position to engage the innermost lands of the records, the lead screws 'l and@ may now be turned to` bring the work into position for the first operation. When the lead screw l has traversed the carriage t to aposition within le o1" an inch of the full ordinate, the pin itil will ride into the scribed mark of the record il with the result that the inicro switch it is closed to thereby actuate` a signal circuit advising the operator that the work had been traversed through the one ordinate of the movement to within eid. of an inch of the desired po tion. Theoperator then elevates `the lever to the position indicated at da in Fig. .4 with the result` that the pin H5 is brought on to the rear-most land of` the record Il. Additional traverse movement will eventually cause the pin i5 to enter the vmarking on the record il, formed as described above, which will indicate through actuation of the micro switch 22 and the associated signal circuit that the one ordinate of the traverse movement has been completed to an accuracy of l/ooo of an inch. Should the operator have turned the record ||1 so that the marking passed beyond the point H5, as indicated by the fact that the signal is interrupted, he will turn the traverse screw in the opposite direction to bring the point ||5 to the opposite side of the mark and will then traverse in the original direction slowly until the signal again indicates that the full ordinate movement has been completed.

A corresponding traverse is now made through the lead screw B. The operating unit I indicating, as described above, when this traverse movement has been completed to an accuracy of at least 1/1000 of an inch. The two ordinates of the traverse movement having thus been completed, the work piece is in position for its iirst operation. When this operation has been completed the lever assembly 56 may be traversed sufficiently to bring the pointers |01 and H5 into position for engagement with the next adjoining lands of the records which will operate as described above to indicate to the operator when the work is in position for the second operation.

The signaling circuits are illustrated in Figs. 1'1 to 21 inclusive. Fig. 17 shows the points |61 and I5 elevated from the respective records and both of the micro switches ||3 and |22 closed, which will be the condition of the switches when the points are clear of the records. The switch |6| is a switch associated with the device, including the lever 88, by means of which the lever assembly 56 is tilted to bring one or the other of the pointers |61 or ||5 individually into contact with its associated record or both to the neutral position. The switch |6| is so related to the lever 88 that when the lever is in the full line position shown in Fig. 4, or in the position 88', the switch arm will occupy the position shown in Fig. 11 wherein, the micro switch ||3 being closed, the signal lamp |62 will be energized. A second signal lamp |63 will be disconnected from the energy source. Fig. 18 shows the condition of the signal circuit when the pointer |01 is riding on the surface of the record 41, in this position the switch ||3 is open and, as set forth above, the switch |6| will be in the position illustrated. The pointer |I5 being elevated from the surface of the record I1 the associated micro switch |22 will be closed, but due to the position of the switch |6| the lamp |63 will be disconnected from the source of energy.

When, under these conditions, and as a result of the movement of the records, the point |61 enters a recess |64 in the surface of the record 41, the associated micro switch I I3 will be closed, as shown in Fig. 19 so that the signal lamp |2 will be energized.

At this point in the operation, as described above, the operator shifts the lever 88 to the position 88", Fig. 4, so as to bring the pointer ||5 onto its record I1 and to elevate the pointer |61 from contact with the record 41. This moves the switch |6| to the position shown in Fig. 20, and when subsequently the pointer ||5 enters a recess |65 in the record |1, thereby closes the micro switch |22, the signal lamp |63 associated with the record |1 will be energized to indicate to the operator that the pointer has entered the recess |65 and that the work piece is in posi- 12 tion, as regards one ordinate of movement, for the initial operation.

By reference to Figs. 14 and 15, it will be noted that the extent of the movement of the pointer |61 below the surface of the record when entering one of the recesses |46 is limited by the contact of the shoe 64 with the surface of the record and contact of the set screw |04 with the element 62 on which the shoe 64 is formed. The operation therefore is independent of the actual depth of the recess |49. It will be apparent however that arriving at the intimate position of the record with respect to the point |01 and in order to avoid minor variations due to excessive width of the recess |49 the iinal position should be approached always from the same direction. In other words, if the record is moved beyond the position wherein the point enters the recess it should be reversed to carry the recess back beyond the point and the direction of movement again reversed until the point again enters the recess.

It will be apparent that the device is subject to considerable modiiication in detail, without departure from the invention, as defined in the appended claims. It is not essential, for example, that the indexing device be operatively connected to the lead screws of the traverse mechanism of the machine to which the device may be applied as the movement of the records could be synchronized with the traverse movements of the work piece in other ways. It is apparent also that in tools wherein the work and cutting elements are brought into position by traversing the tool support instead of the work the indexing units would in that case be associated with the tool traversing mechanism instead of with the work traverse mechanism as described above. Similarly, the traverse might be effected in part by movement of the work and in part by movement of the tool spindle, in which case at least one, indexing device would be associated with each of the traversing mechanisms. It will be apparent also that the switches ||3 and |22 or equivalent electrical devices may be used to operate control devices vfor the machine instead of the signal lamps described above| and that the device may thus constitute a medium for automatic control and operation of the machine' if desired. One such control device is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 24, wherein the elements of mechanism, in so far as they correspond entirely to those shown in the preceeding drawings and described above, are identied by the same reference numerals used in Fig. 5, with which Fig. 24 corresponds. In this case the shaft 33 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 is replaced by two shafts |66 and |61 respectively which may be connected and disconnected through the medium of a clutch |66. The shaft |66 carries the gear V32; Yand the shaft |61 has provision at |69 for attachment of the crank 31 (not shown). The clutch |66 has an element |1| xed to the shaft |61, and a second element |12 slidably attached to the shaft |66, the latter element having a circumferential channel |13 which receives a clutch actuating lever |14. This lever is pivotally mounted at |15 to a iixed part of the machine, and its upper end is connected to the plunger |16 of a solenoid |11. The solenoid is connected in the electrical circuit shown in Figs. 11 to 21 in lieu of or in parallel with the signal lamp |63 so that the solenoid will be actuated to disengage the clutch |66 under the same conditions described above whichV result its traverse over the one ordinate.

inthe energizaticn of the said signal lamp. Disengagement of the clutch 63 disconnects the shafts it@ and it? and automatically interrupts actuation of thcgear i at the point where the work piece has reached the required position Movement in the other ordinate may be similarly controlled by a solenoid actuated clutch associated with the other indexing nit. It will be apparent that in a broad sense the solenoid actuated clutch functionsin the same respect as the signal lamp to dene the limit of the traverse movement which establishes the'worir in the required position, and the term traverse-defining means as used in the claims is intended to `embrace both characters of device.

As described above, the indexing device is employed to locate the work pieces and Vtools relatively for the desired operation or operations. It will be apparent, however, that with the same procedurel the device may ce used to mark on tl e work, by means for example of a center drill, the centers on which the desred drilling or other operations are to 'ce performed, the work piece then being removed to another machine or location for performance of the said operations.

I claim:

l. In indexing means for machine tools ci the type comprising a work-supportand a tool ele ment means for relatively traversing said support and element, a mobile record carrier cperatively connected to said traversing means ier synchronized operation with the latter, and record-actuated traverse-defining means operativem ly associated with said carrier and responsive to --movements of the latter.

2. Indexing means according to claim l including an actuator for the traversing means and wherein the record carrier is geared to the said actuator so as to move in timed relation to the latter.

3. Indexing :means according to claim 2 wherein the actuator for the traversing means is in the forni of a lead screw.

4. Indexing means according to claim 3 wheree in support is mobile (and the lead screw is operatively connected to said support.

V5. Indexing means according to claim i wherein the work support is mounted upon a vmobile carriage for movement on the latter in a direction at right angles "to 'theiirection of movement or" the carriage, the said support and carriage having separate traversing means, and wherein one of the record carriers with its associated record actuated traverse defining means is associated with each of said traversing means.

6. Indexing means according to claim 1 wherein the said carrier comprises a plurality of separate record-carrying elements geared together for simultaneous operation at differing rates of speed.

7. Indexing means according to claim 6 wherein the record actuated means comprises a separate record-engaging element for each carrier, together with mechanisms for bringing said elements successively into operative positions with respect to records mounted on their respective carriers.

8. Indexing means according to claim '7 including a record-actuated signalling means associated with each of the record-engaging elements.

9. Indexing means according to claim 8 wherein the signalling means includes an electric circuit and a micro switch controlling said circuit and operatively connectedl'to'the'record engaging element.

10. Indexing means according `to claim 1 wherein the traverse-delining means comprises a record-engaging element and an electric signalling circuit including a micro switch for control oi said circuit operatively connected to said element.

11. Indexing means according to claim 10 wherein the said switch is supported on a mobile record-supported carriage, the point of said support lying in close proximity to the point of contact with the record of the said record-engaging element whereby movements of the element, due to irregularities in surface contour of the record, will be accompanied by corresponding movements of the switch.

l2. Indexing means according to claim l wherein the traverse-defining means comprises a record-actuated indicating device.

13, In indexing means for machine tools of the type comprising means for relatively traversing the work and tool element, a, rotary record carrier operatively connected to said traversing means for synchronized operation with the latter, and record-actuated traverse-dening means operatively associated with said carrier and responsive to movements of the latter.

la. Indexing means according to claim 13 wher-ein the record-actuated traverse-deiinng means is adjustable axially of the rotary carrier.

15. Indexing means according to claim 13 including a cylindrical record mounted detachably on said carrier coaxially with the latter.

16. Indexing means according to claim 15 wherein the record-actuated traverse-defining means is adjustable axially of the carrier for engagement with dierent axially spaced circumferential portions of the record.

1'?. Indexing means according to claim 16 wherein the said record-actuated means is nornially resiliently held in contact with the surface of the record.

18. Indexing means according to claim 1'7 wherein the mechanism for adjusting the recordactuated means axially of the carrier includes 'automatic means for elevating the said recordactuated means from contact with the record as an initial step in the adjustment operation.

19. In indexing means for machine tools of the typ-e comprising means for relatively traversing the work and tool element, a rotary record carrier operatively connected to said traversing means for synchronized operation with the latter, a cylindrical record detachably mounted on. said carrier coaxially with the latter, record actuated traverse-deining means normally resiliently held in contact with the surface of said record, and manual means for elevating the record actuating means out of Contact with the record.

2G. Indexing means according to claim 1 wherein the said carrier comprises a plurality of separate rotary record-carrying elements arranged with axes parallel to each other and connected for simultaneous operation at differing rates of speed.

21. Indexing means according to claim 20 wherein the record actuated means comprises a separate record-engaging element for each carrier element, together with means for bringing said engaging elements one at a time and selectively into contact with the respective records.

22. Indexing means according to claim 21 wherein the record-engaging elements are supported upon opposite ends of a common strucaccenna 15 ture pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the carrier elements and between the said record engaging elements.

23. indexing means according to claim 22 wherein the said common supporting structure is adjustable upon its pivotal mounting axially of the carrier elements.

24. Indexing means according to claim 23 wherein the pivotal mounting for the common support structure is in the form of a knife edge, and wherein further the knife edge structure is mounted for rocking adjustment about an axis paralleling said edge.

25. In a machine tool of the type comprising means for relatively traversing the work and tool element, a mobile record carrier operatively connected to said traversing means for synchronized operation with the latter, and record-actuated traverse-dening means operatively associated with said carrier and responsive to movements of the latter.

26. in a machine tool of the type comprising mechanism for reiatively traversing the work and tool element to bring said work and element into correlated positions for a predetermined machine operation, the combination with said traverse mechanism of means for dening the extent of the traverse movement required to locate the said work and tool element in said correlated positions.

27. A machine tool according to claim 26 wherein the traverse-defining means includes a preformed record bearing a predetermined traverse pattern.

28. A machine tool according to claim 27 including means for actuating the record in synchronism with the traverse mechanism.

29. A machine tool according to claim 28 wherein the traverse-defining means comprises devices actuated by the record at the limit of the traverse movement wherein the work and tool element occupy the said correlated positions.

30. A machine tool according to claim 29 wherein the record-actuated devices comprise means for controlling the operation of the traverse mechanism.

31. in a machine tool of the type comprising mechanism for relatively traversing the work and tool element to bring said work and element into correlated positions for a predetermined machine operation, the combination with said traverse mechanism of means for defining the extent of 16 the traverse movement required-to locate the said work and tool element in said correlated positions, said traverse-defining means including a preformed record bearing a predetermined traverse pattern, means for actuating the record in synchronism with the traverse mechanism, and signal means actuated by the record at the limit of the traverse movement wherein the work and too1 element occupy the said correlated positions.

32. A machine tool according to yclaim 26 wherein the traverse mechanism comprises independent means for relatively traversing the work and tool element on intersecting ordinates, and wherein means is provided forY denning the said extent of traverse movement along each of said ordinates.

33. A machine tool according to claim 32 wherein each of the independent traverse means includes a preformed record bearing a predetermined traverse pattern, means for actuating the record in synchronism with the immediately associated traverse means, and devices actuated by the record at the limit of the traverse movement on the related ordinate.

34. In indexing means for machine tools of the type comprising means for relatively traversing the work and tool element, a mobile record carrier operatively connected to said traversing means for synchronized operation with the latter, and record-actuated traverse-control means operatively associated with said carrier and responsive to movements of the latter.

GEORGE H. BENZO-N, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 776,212 Anthony Nov. 29, 1904 1,111,033 Powers Sept. 22, 1914 1,217,572 Craley Feb. 27, 1917 1,416,594 Atherton May 16, 1922 1,739,465 Jorgensen Dec. 10, 1929 1,942,209 Graves et al Jan. 2, 1934 2,020,868 Barnes et al Nov. 12, 1935 2,167,189 Verderber July 25, 1939 2,319,480 Saving et al May 18, 1943 2,469,269 Lear May 3, 1949 2,479,975 Shively Aug. 23, 1949 

